Mark Metherell ’87 Memorial Service Challenge
Mark Metherell ’87 Memorial Service Challenge
The Mark Metherell ’87 Memorial Service Challenge is a Cate School grant that enables students to do community engagement projects in the summer to support people, organizations, and communities in need. Volunteerism, potential to benefit others, sustainability, and vision are the primary criteria for selection. In the spirit of Servons, this grant is named in honor of Mark Metherell ’87, a member of the Cate Class of 1987. Mark was involved with the public service program while at Cate and often spoke of helping those less fortunate so they could help themselves. He was a compassionate and loving husband and father who also made time for others. Mark passed away in Iraq while training and supporting Iraqi special forces. Formerly a Navy Seal, he was a civilian at the time of his death. Mark’s family, friends, and classmates created the Mark Metherell ’87 Memorial Service Challenge (The Metherell Challenge) in 2009 in his honor and continue to steward the program today.
Grant Information
The Metherell Challenge typically awards two grants of $4,500–$5,000 each for service projects, in the U.S. or abroad. Part of the grant may be used for personal travel and living expenses. This opportunity is open to all Cate students, and applicants may apply individually or as a pair.
Grant Review Process
The process of applying for the Metherell Service project is a learning and professional development experience for students. Students develop a set of skills they will use beyond Cate, including communication, organizational skills, and public speaking. A group of six to seven faculty and staff members make up the selection committee.
The grant application process begins months before applications are due. An informational meeting to share advice on how to craft a thoughtful proposal is held in the early winter trimester. Past recipients offer suggestions and lessons learned. Applicants are strongly encouraged to meet with a member of the committee to provide early feedback on their project. They then sign a contract that commits them to carry out their project during the summer, provide receipts to Cate, write a final report, and make a presentation to the School in the fall. The recipient has the honor of serving on the committee the following year.
Contact Information
For more information about the Mark Metherell ’87 Memorial Service Challenge, please contact Lindsay Newlove, Director of Stewardship & Parent Engagement lindsay_newlove@cate.org or Guille Gil-Reynoso, Advancement & Communications Manager guille_reynoso@cate.org
Metherell Service Challenge Grant Recipients
YearName and Grad YearProject PurposeLocation
| 2024 | Stephanie Akinfolarin ’25 and Daisy Gemberling ’25 | Renovate a Reading Room in Women and Children’s Home | Los Angeles, CA, USA |
| 2024 | Francesa Sutch ’25 | Sewing Skills and Fashion Show for Refugees and Victims of Sex Trafficking | Hong Kong |
| 2023 | Thomas Paige ’24 | Writing Program and Book Launch | New Orleans, LA, USA |
| 2023 | Caroline Coors ’24 | Summer Program and Skills-Building for Children with Down Syndrome | Denver, CO, USA |
| 2023 | Everest Schipper ’24 | Build Hygiene Station | Nepal |
| 2022 | Sebastian Sutch ’23 | Create Soccer Program for Girls | Cambodia |
| 2022 | Jae Lim ’23 and Jengus Ercil ’23 | Volunteer with Children in Group Home and Create Social Media Campaign to Raise Awareness | Nepal |
| 2022 | Gigi Geyer ’23 | Establish Robotics Program | Tanzania |
| 2021 | Lindsey Laurence ’23 | Build Playground at Manuelito Navajo Children’s Home | New Mexico, USA |
| 2021 | Ella Chen ’23 | Convert Reading Rooms into Activity Rooms | China |
| 2020 | Jinny Chung ’21 | Design Visiting Family Room for Prison | Korea |
| 2020 | Madeline Vanica ’21 | Design and Outfit Technology Lab | Mongolia |
| 2020 | Dana Huston-Chen ’20 | Raise Money for Scholarship through Tea Farming | China |
| 2019 | William Deardorf ’20 | Construct Playground | Baja California |
| 2019 | Rae Fox ’20 | Build Laundry Room and Provide Life Skills Training for Children with Down Syndrome | China |
| 2018 | Maddie Erickson ’19 | Establish Carpinteria Flames Girls Lacrosse Program | Carpinteria, CA, USA |
| 2018 | Luca Kim ’19 | Renovate Classroom into Music Room | Guatemala |
| 2017 | Kate Bradley ’19 | Refurbish School Store into Co-op and Install Filters and Water Pump | Thai-Burma Border |
| 2016 | Henry Walsh ’17 | Improve Basketball Court at Blackfeet Nation | Montana, USA |
| 2015 | Rei Imada ’16 | Water Circulation Heater | Mongolia |
| 2014 | Paola Rios ’15 & Jenny Lundt ’15 | Build Houses | Ecuador |
| 2013 | Shuta Kobayashi ’14 | Build Homes and Establish Tennis Camp | Philippines |
| 2012 | Shyam Akula ’13 | Create a Reading Room | Mumbai |
| 2011 | Josh Yaro ’12 | Access to Clean Water | Ghana |
| 2010 | Frank Song ’11 | Build Playground and Garden in Multicultural School | Korea |
| 2009 | Rey Canseco ’10 | Teach English and Volunteer in Orphanages | Rwanda |